This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey | Share The Word

Godless World Religion

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Mark Shields

Reading in Revelation 17:1-6, a great harlot is depicted as the symbol of apostasy and idol-worship; drunk with the blood of the saints (v.6). She represents the ultimate in godless world religion who has been involved with the kings of the earth.

The setting is in a desert or wilderness. The harlot is attractive yet repulsive because she is dressed in purple and scarlet; glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She holds a golden cup filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.

The church is thought of as the wife of Christ and in a way, one might think of the harlot depicted in this passage as the wife of Satan. Many in society would like to have a godless religious system. Others see greatness in one nation under God with diverse denominations providing for a religious system that is secure and strong. History has proven over and over that nations with a godless religious system along with an unaccountable government results in disaster for its people.

A balance of power is healthy. The framers of the U. S. constitution realized the need for diversity and integrity. There are so many ideas on how best to govern a city, state, or nation but the system that seems to work best is the idea that the power belongs with its people under one God.

Many diverse small governments (cities, counties, and states) working together with liberty and justice are accountable to its people. This day with God, let us pray for more nations of freedom; the type of freedom that allows its people to use their God given talents for society so they can live, give, and love. With this freedom, people speak and teach; laying out a clear path for each generation to follow.

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Posted in Integrity, Revelation | Tagged Christ, Diversity, Freedom, God, Idol Worship, Integrity, Path, U. S. Constitution, World Religion | 4 Comments

Questions for Reflection for Study of Revelation 17-19

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, the journey has taken us through the book of Revelation 14-16. The vision of John tells us there will be a crushing blow for those who deny Christ. Reading in Revelation 14, the message is that we should strive to give the extra effort to please God by creating outcomes that glorify Him. Our purpose should be to put all our attention on making sure we are followers of Christ and help as many as we can to become followers.

Then the journey took us to God’s judgments and the end of the Tribulation. In Revelation 15, John records God’s judgment with plagues that will take place at the end of the Tribulation. Let us remember that the need for these plagues affect God too. He created this amazing world and now it has to be destroyed. He also has to give up His only Son for the sins of the world. There is power in God, value in His favor, and glory in His holiness. Be patient because things can only get better during bad times and tomorrow is only a day away. Want your tomorrow’s to be better by doing things right and keeping your eyes on the reward.

John explains that smoke fills the Temple (Rev. 15:7). The Temple expresses the very nature of God who is our hope. Like an anchor to help us hold course until the storm subsides or a candle that lights our path and lights other candles, our hope is in the Lord.

Revelation 16 gave us knowledge that should influence our values in life as we prepare for the future. Our purpose as we get closer to the time of the second coming when Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, will suddenly come again to judge the world is to share with others and provide the means for them to accept Him as their Lord. God reigns and so let us do everything for His glory.

Over the next few weeks, the journey heads to Revelation 17-19. Below are questions for reflection as the journey through God’s Word continues.

Revelation 17:1-6
How is the great harlot depicted? Whom does she symbolize (See Jer. 51:7-14)? Is your city and nation a harlot? What is the extent of corruption in your local, state and national governments? How can you remain pure in the midst of your nation’s abominations and fornications?

Revelation 17:7-18
What authority and power will the beast have? What indications do you see that God is active in the world when evil triumphs? To what extent is God active in your life when evil touches you? Why?

Revelation 18
What is the mood of this chapter? Contrast the before and after pictures of the great woman (see 17:16)? Imagine a great city of today that suddenly has a catastrophic demise. What would be the political, social, economic, and religious repercussions?

Revelation 19:1-8
What is the focus of attention here? Why? Will you join in the lament or the jubilation? What is your part in getting the bride ready?

Revelation 19:6-10
What metaphors does John use to describe the sounds of jubilation? What aspects of God’s nature are portrayed by marriage (See Hos. 2:2-23 and 6:6; 6:6; Jer. 2:2-3, 32-35; 3:1-13; 5:7-8; 13:27; Ezek. 16; Eph. 5:21-33)? What is the angel’s role?

Revelation 19:11-21
What are the names of the rider of the white horse? What is the weapon (see Rev. 1:16; 2 Thess. 2:8)? In what ways do you experience this war between the forces of good and evil in your daily living? What can you do about it?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ.

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.

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Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
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Posted in Questions for Reflection, Revelation | Tagged Attention, Christ, God, God’s Word, Hope, John, Journey, Plagues, Plan, Purpose, Questions, Rewards, Savior, Temple, Tribulation, Vision | Leave a comment

Week in Review

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Mark Shields

This week, I have posting some thoughts after a study of Revelation 15-16. Reading in Revelation 15 and writing some thoughts in the post Qualities of His Presence, John records the vision of seven angels with the seven last plagues that will take place at the end of the Tribulation when there will be judgment for those who follow the antichrist but reward for His servants.

We should make sure we are doing our best to warn others and relay the message of God’s way of escape through His Son. We must remain patient and know that things will get better if we do the right things and keep our eyes on the reward.

John’s vision prepares for the Seven Bowl Judgments that will be executed upon antichrist and his followers. God is our hope much like an anchor to help us hold course until the storm subsides. The Holy Spirit is like the fire from a candle that lights other candles and lights our path in darkness.

John then gave us the vision as laid out in Revelation 16 which I wrote about in the post The Offer Remains Until the End . Our knowledge of the future influences our values in life as preparations are made for positive consequences. We are to establish a purpose in life in which everything is done for the glory of God.

Next week, the study will continue into Revelation 17. Have a great weekend my friends!

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Posted in Week in Review | Tagged Christ, God, God’s Way, Hope, Preparation, revelation, Rewards, Seven Angels, Seven Bowls Judgment, Seven Last Plagues, Tribulation, Vision | Leave a comment

He Reigns

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Mark Shields

John gives us the vision as laid out in Revelation 16 and this knowledge should influence our values in life as we prepare for the future. God reigns and so let us do everything for His glory: God You Reign – Lincoln Brewster.

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Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

Posted in Purpose | Tagged Armageddon, Eternity, Evangelism, God, Jesus Christ, John, Judgment, Lord of Glory, Purpose, Repent, Salvation, Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath | 2 Comments

The Offer Remains Until the End

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Mark Shields

God will continue to offer eternal salvation up until the end but no one knows when the end will be. John continues to give us his vision of the end in Revelation 16, there is an expansion of the seventh trumpet judgment as the seven angels pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.

The seven bowls of God’s wrath
The people who had the mark of the beast developed painful sores (v. 2)
Sea turns to blood and everything in the sea dies (v. 3)
Rivers become blood (v. 4)
The sun becomes scorching hot (v. 8)
Darkness and so much agony they gnawed their tongues (v. 10)
Euphrates River dries up (v. 12)
Thunder, earthquakes and hail (v. 18)

When John explains about the sixth angel pouring out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, demonic spirits that looked like frogs came out of the mouth of the dragon, the mouth of the beast, and the mouth of the false prophet (v. 13). Their goal is to gather the kings of the whole world at Armageddon for the battle on the great day of God Almighty (v. 14).

The people respond by cursing God instead of repenting and asking for help. Instead of listening to God’s messages and making the needed changes, the vision tells that they will continue to blame Him for their situation. The Good News is that God will continue to offer the chance for people to repent and change up until the end. That is why it’s important that each day, we take the opportunity to share with others about who God is and who each person can be, an important name in history – one of His children

Our purpose as we get closer to the time of the second coming when Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, will suddenly come again to judge the world is to share with others and provide the means for them to accept Him as their Lord.

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